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As much as I swear by my beauty products for keeping my skin radiant and younger looking, I know that what I put in to my body even more important that what I slather on it.

Stress, caffeine, alcohol, sugar-laden treats and pollution cause a build up of toxins in our bodies that can leave us with dry, flaky and even acne-ridden skin that need to be eliminated in order to rebalance the body.

I prefer blending to juicing, since most of the fiber and other good stuff gets left behind when you use a juicer. I love making fresh green juices in my Vitamix, and it’s perfect for making a big batch of this skin-clearing smoothie that’s chock full of vitamins, minerals and antioxidants to cleanse your body of toxins and leave you with glowing, healthy skin.

This Asian Green Tea Smoothie packs a serious antioxidant punch with tons of nutrient-rich veggies and green tea. Green tea is known for its ability to fight the signs of aging such as fine lines and wrinkles, sagging and sun damage, while the mega-dose of green veggies in this juice will provide even more antioxidants to give you that healthy glow.

Try this vegan, non-dairy recipe with a spicy boost to complement your regimen and get radiant skin from within.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Green tea (freshly brewed, then chilled)

Juice from 1/2 small lemon

1 cup romaine lettuce

1 cup organic spinach

1 Kaffir lime leaf

1 inch fresh ginger (peeled & chopped)

1/4 teaspoon Madagascar vanilla extract

Directions

Coarsely chop romaine, lettuce, and Kaffir lime leaf.

Place all ingredients in the order listed into a high-speed blender (such as Vitamix) and secure lid.

Select Variable 1.

Turn machine on and slowly increase speed to Variable 10, then to High.

Eat More to Lose More!

Dieters will like the sound of that! Instead of starving yourself to lose weight, science shows you need to EAT MORE … of the right foods.

These 5 superfoods will up your calorie-burn and help you lose weight!

Quinoa

Instead of rice, try quinoa!

Quinoa has 8g of protein and 5g of fiber per serving, which will keep you feeling fuller longer.Check out my blog post, Quinoa Two Ways for both a dinner & a breakfast idea (hint: quinoa is a great substitute for your morning oatmeal, too!)

Avocado

Somewhere along the way, we were convinced that a low-fat or NO fat diet was the only way to lose weight.

Boy, was that wrong! The secret is choosing right kinds of fats, like nutrient-rich avocado. Avocados are rich in oleic acid, which may trigger your body to keep hunger pangs at bay. Stick to half of an avocado per serving.

Kale has two of the most powerful antioxidants: carotenoinds and flavonoids. These help expel free radicals and protect against cancer. One raw cup contains 34 calories and about 1.3g of fiber. Not a huge fan? Try throwing raw kale into soups like this Creamy Mushroom Soup with Greens and Ginger

Goji berries

Goji berries are becoming more well-known here in the US, but this popular Asian superfood has been around for much longer.

Photo courtesy of 52kitchenadventures.com

These tart berries are a protein source, with 18 amino acids. How many fruits can say that?

Chili peppers

Spicy foods crank up your metabolism, so it’s no surprise that chili peppers can help you lose weight. In a study published in the journal Clinical Nutrition, researchers found that consuming a combination of capsaicin and green tea led subjects to feel less hungry and eat fewer calories. Throw a little diced chili pepper into homemade marinara sauce for an extra kick!

Sharing the last of my Asian superfood series with you today, part 3 of 3. Some of these were familiar to me… others not so familiar. But variety is the spice of life, right? 🙂

And speaking of spice…

The first superfood on the list today is turmeric. Turmeric is used for its anti-cancer properties, as well as an immunity booster and liver detoxifier. If you are a fan of Indian food (namely curries), you may recognize turmeric as a key ingredient.

Turmeric is said to be helpful in fighting the common cold, as well as other respiratory problems. Researchers at the Cork Cancer Research Center in Ireland treated esophageal cancer cells with curcumin (the chemical found in turmeric which gives curry that distinctive yellow color) and found it began to kill cancer cells within 24 hours!

Next is soybeans. Soybeans are rich in protein, isoflavones (which have antioxidant benefits) as well as omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids (heart-healthy!). They also contain potassium and magnesium, which are necessary for our muscles to contract and relax. Edamame are probably the most well-know type of soybean. You can buy them in the frozen food section of most super markets. Once thawed, they are a great addition to salads. I love ordering steamed edamame as an appetizer when I go out for sushi.

Last in the superfood series are two fruits — wolfberries (also known as goji berries) and pomegranates.

Wolfberries are rich in vitamin C and selenium, which both protect the heart and aid in cancer prevention. They are also high in vitamin A – excellent for the eyes and skin. You can usually find them amongst the dried fruits in markets like Whole Foods and Trader Joe’s.

Pomegranates are loaded with antioxidants, potassium, vitamin B and vitamin C. My friend sprinkles pomegranate seeds on top of her fruit salads, which adds a very interesting visual appeal. Pomegranate juices are readily available in pretty much every super market, making it super easy to get your superfood boost. There is even a POM supplement now for those who want the benefits without the added calories in a juice.

I hope you found the Asian superfood series interesting and perhaps have added a new thing or two to your diet. I find that variety keeps cooking at home a task that is enjoyable rather than draining. If you missed parts 1 and 2 of the series, you can find them here:

If you read my blog last week, then you know I started a series of posts about Asian superfoods – some with great healing benefits that we might not think about here in the US. If you missed my first post, you can read it here.

This week, I’m going to give you the lowdown on four more Asian superfoods that are loaded with vitamins, antioxidants, and huge disease-healing and prevention powers.

First on the list is seaweed. I know what you are thinking… it doesn’t sound very appetizing. However, not all seaweed is created equal 🙂 There are edible types of seaweed used in soup stocks, Asian salads, and of course in sushi. You might recognize the names nori, wakame, and kombu from Japanese menus. One of my favorite things to order in a sushi restaurant is a wakame salad. Honestly it didn’t look very edible the first time I tried it, but the flavors were delicious and kept me going back for more. Nori is the type of seaweed that you’ll see wrapped around your sushi. While likely an acquired taste for some, I find it provides a nice salty flavor. A few months ago, I saw a toddler being pushed in a stroller eating what looked to me like dried seaweed. I asked the mom, and that is exactly what it was. I was shocked that a toddler would find that a suitable snack! I easily found this snack on the shelves the next time I went to Trader Joe’s (who knew?!), and now I’m addicted.

Photo courtesy of Club Trader Joe's

It’s kind’ve like eating chips, but not as crunchy & without all of the fat & calories. I definitely recommend giving it a try! As for the benefits, seaweed is rich in iodine (good for the thyroid) and also contains vitamins A & E. It also contains folate, which is necessary for repairing damaged DNA and forming healthy blood cells.

Next on the list is coriander. I became very confused by the difference between coriander and cilantro while I was in Japan, so I had to do some research. As it turns out, they are actually the same herb — however, when the leaves are used it is referred to as cilantro. The seeds of the plant are called coriander. Coriander is rich in beta-carotene and vitamin C — two antioxidants that protect against age-related eye disease such as macular degeneration. It also removes excess heavy metals from the body, such as mercury contained in the fish we are eating, other metals in our drinking water, and those we get from daily exposure to our environment. Coriander is used in making curries, so if you are a curry fan then look no further! I discovered something just this week that is a new favorite! I am a huge fan of dark chocolate infused with spices. I started out eating dark chocolate with cinnamon & chili peppers, and now I try it with any kind of spice. This week, my local market had some new chocolate bars on offer. I picked up this one.

It did NOT disappoint! This is my new favorite after-dinner treat!! Eating a square or two of dark chocolate every day is totally allowed. Dark chocolate also has its share of antioxidants, so as long as you stick to a small portion it is good for you 🙂

Next on the list is almonds. You might not think of almonds as an Asian superfood, but they are incorporated into Asian desserts more than I see here in the US. Almonds are rich in vitamin E. They are great for your skin and help lower HDL (bad cholesterol). Almonds are also high in potassium, manganese, and riboflavin. Raw unsalted almonds best, but when I eat them alone as a snack, I prefer them roasted.

Last on the list for today’s post is sesame seeds. Sesame seeds are high in vitamin E like almonds, and keep your skin & heart healthy. Black sesame seeds are high in calcium. These can be found in most Asian food markets, and are really good in marinades or sprinkled on top of plain rice. Tahini is a paste made from sesame seeds makes great dips and salad dressings. Try this delicious recipe from Whole Living magazine that I have tried using tahini as a garnish for fruit salad.

Photo courtesy of Whole Living magazine

Stay tuned for next week, part 3 of 3 in the Asian Superfood series. Don’t forget… if you missed last week, you can check it out here.

Leave me a comment below if you have any recipes or great snack ideas using these superfoods!